I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 290

Chapter 290: The Prophet of Wederos (9)

About an hour had passed since I left the workshop, tossing the glove as a distraction.

-Ding!

▶ Episode VI: The Price of Reaching the Summit cleared. ◀

The episode clear message appeared.

I chuckled and read the notification.

“It seems everything went smoothly.”

▶ Two outcomes will be determined based on your episode progress. ◀

▶ Calculating expenses… ◀

▶ Calculating free time… ◀

▶ Calculating… ◀

If I had made a mistake, a family member would have come looking for me.

The timing of their arrival would depend on the severity of my actions.

But an hour had passed, and Arina hadn’t appeared.

Which meant I had made the right choices.

“Heh heh… Hahahaha!”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

How could things be so similar?

Not just the game’s progression, but this entire situation felt familiar.

Being unfairly accused was a common occurrence.

Whether it was at work or at school, there were always those who found fault with me.

And in those situations, I only had one option.

I had to endure their accusations in silence.

If I protested, I would be reprimanded, even though I had done nothing wrong.

And if I tried to use my strength or knowledge to defend myself, I would be accused of escalating the situation.

Because my family was always watching.

The only solution was to apologize, to back down, to accept the blame and pay the price.

This situation…

…was no different from my past life.

“I thought the story was getting complicated, but it seems I was wrong.”

Carsein had gotten into a conflict with a knight.

He had been accused of assaulting the knight’s younger brother, and the older brother had come seeking revenge.

Well, that was the gist of it.

Either way, Carsein would be criticized for causing trouble.

And his family, after hearing about the incident, would scold him and demand he compensate the other party.

That was the predetermined sequence of events.

Normally, in such a situation, one would be angry, frustrated.

To be falsely accused, to be forced to pay compensation when you were the victim? It was natural to feel wronged.

But Carsein couldn’t react that way.

Just like me, he had to accept it, to resign himself to his fate.

The Memorial had been right.

It had always guided me, and it hadn't been wrong this time either.

There was no point in arguing with those who were trying to frame me.

Even if it meant suffering a loss, this was the correct approach.

With that wretched family,

There was no point in trying to explain the truth.

Thanks to that, I knew that my actions in the game had been wrong, and I could easily choose the correct path now.

“Camilla.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Give this to the Duchess.”

“This… money?”

Camilla hesitated, tilting her head in confusion.

It was understandable. Why would I be sending money to the Duchess? Perhaps I should have included a letter.

But there was no need.

“Just tell her I caused some trouble, and that’s why I’m sending this. And if she tries to return it, tell her it’s money I earned myself, and I want to take responsibility.”

“Hmm… I understand.”

Camilla took the envelope and left.

With this, the matter should be resolved without issue.

By the time Arina informed Isabella about the incident, she would understand why I had sent the money.

I checked my status window again.

▶ You have chosen <Territory> as your method of acquiring funds for <Another Plan>. ◀

▶ Stage 5 requirement: The required amount of funds has increased! ◀

▶ Acquire 238,800,000 Pesel. ◀

[Progress: 46%]

“46%…”

The humid summer air was fading, replaced by the cool breeze of autumn.

Calculating the time it would take to reach the target amount, considering my current income and expenses…

I would likely be able to leave next year.

“No, that won’t do.”

I couldn’t stay in this wretched house for that long.

I would finish this within the year.

Even if it meant working day and night.

I crossed out the calculations in my notebook and started again.

Considering the time constraints…

“About a month left…”

It was strangely close to that day.

A month before the end of the year.

A week after the second Thursday of November.

In other words,

The day I had cut ties with that wretched family.

“It doesn’t matter if the dates are similar.”

It was just a coincidence.

If I worked harder, I could leave sooner. And if I slacked off, it would be later.

It was just a random occurrence, within the margin of error.

-Are you planning on staying up all night again?

-Min-hyeok, are you going to pull another all-nighter?

“…”

Their voices, overlapping in my mind, made me pause.

“I can’t stop now.”

-Neigh!

I only had a few months left.

I would finish this, no matter what.

Just like I had in my past life.

***

Isabella, taking a leisurely stroll to clear her head, received a visitor.

“Carsein sent this to me?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

It was Camilla, the maid.

Carsein’s personal maid, his only attendant.

It wasn’t unusual for her to bring news related to Carsein, but…

“Money…? Why would Carsein send me this?”

She couldn't help but be puzzled by the item Camilla had brought.

“The young master said he caused some trouble, and that this should be delivered to you, My Lady.”

“…Caused trouble? Carsein?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Isabella pondered this for a moment, then spoke.

“Whatever happened, this isn’t right.”

She handed the envelope back to Camilla.

“This is money Carsein earned through his hard work. If he caused some kind of accident, then I should be the one compensating the other party. Return this to him.”

“The young master said that if you refused, he asked me to convey this message.”

“…What is it?”

“He said it had to be money he earned himself, for it to feel sincere.”

“Money he earned himself…?”

Isabella looked at the envelope, her expression still filled with confusion.

But then, she understood.

“…Right. I see. He must have his reasons.”

Camilla, having delivered the money and Carsein’s message, bowed and left.

-Rustle.

Isabella opened the envelope again.

It contained a considerable sum of money.

It was a trivial amount compared to the Duchy’s wealth, a drop in the ocean compared to the fortunes of other noble families.

But from a commoner’s perspective, it was more than a month’s wages.

And considering that Carsein hadn't accepted any allowance or financial support, it was a significant amount.

What had happened?

She had a feeling she needed to investigate.

Just as she was about to leave…

Another visitor arrived.

“Mother, I need to talk to you. It’s urgent. Do you have a moment?”

It was Claire, and Flora.

Her two daughters.

It didn’t take long for the entire story to unfold.

***

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and red,

Isabella stared out the window.

But her demeanor was different from usual.

Her fists were clenched, her knuckles white.

Her lips trembled slightly.

Her eyes, usually warm and gentle, were now filled with a cold fury.

-That knight… his family is in dire financial straits. His parents are addicted to gambling, and he’s drowning in debt.

“…”

So it had been about money.

That was Claire’s conclusion.

The knight who had started the fight had a terrible reputation, and while Carsein's image had improved somewhat, he was still seen as an outsider, an adopted child.

He had been an easy target, a scapegoat.

Claire had taken care of the situation, so there was nothing more for Isabella to do.

But there was more to the story.

-Click.

“Mother, you called for me?”

Arina entered the study.

Isabella took a deep breath to calm herself, then spoke.

“…Sit down.”

“Yes, Mother.”

They both sat on the sofa.

Isabella, unable to even take a sip of her tea, spoke.

But her first words,

Were heavy with accusation.

“Arina, do you dislike Carsein?”

“…What?”

“Is it because he came into the family while I was ill, taking advantage of my weakness?”

Arina’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Mother, what are you talking about…?”

“Or is it because I mistook him for Karn, in my weakened state? Or perhaps you resent the fact that he took Karn’s place? Or is it simply because he’s a commoner, an outsider, not related to us by blood?”

Isabella’s relentless questions made Arina gasp.

“Mother, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why are we talking about Carsein…?”

“You dislike him, don’t you? Otherwise… why would you immediately assume he was at fault?”

“…!”

Arina finally understood.

It was because of what had happened a few hours ago.

She bit her lip, remembering her misjudgment.

“I apologize.”

Seeing Arina’s bowed head, Isabella felt a sense of relief.

‘Yes, she’s an intelligent child. She understands her mistakes.’

She had matured quickly, taking on the responsibilities of the family at a young age.

But while she was capable, she still lacked empathy.

“You should apologize to Carsein, not to me.”

“…”

“I’ve realized how much this incident has damaged our family. So, we need to talk. All of us.”

Isabella handed Arina a ticket.

A ticket to a well-known resort in the Empire.

“I was thinking we could take a family trip after Carsein recovers. I want you to make amends with him, Arina.”

There were enough tickets for the entire family.

Isabella, her three daughters, and Carsein, her adopted son.

It was clearly meant to be a family trip.

To mend their broken relationships.

Isabella hoped that this trip would bring her children closer together.

***

Arina hadn’t come to see me after the episode.

Sending the money to Isabella through Camilla had been the correct choice. The incident had been resolved without any further conflict.

My actions, my way of paying the price of reaching the summit, hadn't caused any problems.

And as a result, I had been granted a significant amount of free time.

I had worked tirelessly, day and night,

Sacrificing my rest to accumulate wealth.

▶ You have chosen <Territory> as your method of acquiring funds for <Another Plan>. ◀

▶ Stage 5 requirement: The required amount of funds has increased. ◀

[Progress: 46%]

I had significantly reduced the remaining amount, one step closer to my escape.

But the reprieve didn't last long.

“Young Master, a letter has arrived from My Lady.”

-Ding!

▶ Episode VII: The Bagrand Family Trip has begun. ◀

▶ Return to the Duchy. ◀

▶ Failure to arrive within the designated time may result in penalties related to movement and choice restrictions! ◀

A new episode, a new obstacle.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

I knew what I had to do.

I was almost there.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter